Red Sox: Hanley Ramirez Makes Bold Declaration, Series Not Over
With their backs against the wall, Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez has guaranteed that his team will force a Game 5 in the ALDS.
It takes a lot to make a guarantee in sports. Sometimes when a player makes a guarantee, it is based solely off of belief, other times it is strictly based on confidence. Perhaps it is a little bit of both for Hanley Ramirez, but he believes the Boston Red Sox will win the next two games at Fenway and force a Game 5 against the Cleveland Indians.
Following the team’s 6-0 loss in Game 2 of the ALDS, Ramirez didn’t guarantee that Boston will win the series, but did declare that they will make it a series.
“You better book a ticket,” Ramirez said via Pete Abraham. “Game 5 will be back here [Cleveland].”
Us Red Sox fans truly hope so. With the very inconsistent Clay Buchholz taking the mound in Game 3, there isn’t much confidence that the right-hander will come through. So any faith we the fans have will be based on the offense waking up. For Boston to have a chance, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts have to wake up and embrace the big stage.
More from Boston Red Sox
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
- Mookie Betts Has Humble Outlook on Returning to Fenway
- Alex Cora Reveals What He Said to Cause NSFW Response from Justin Verlander
If those players can get it together, the offense can explode. And entering the game, we all know David Ortiz is angry. We also all know the team is angry. But as fans we need to see that anger tattooing the Green Monster. We need to see the Big Papi who can put away a game with just one swing of the bat and a big smile. We also need to see the Hanley Ramirez who dominated at the plate down the stretch.
Yes, pitching wins championships. But it is offense that puts a team in position. In the first two games, the Red Sox had neither. As a team that has won three of the last six postseason series in which they lost the first two games, Hanley’s declaration is believable.
If they do indeed go out before Game 5, they have to go down swinging as a team. A loss now wouldn’t be the way we would want to see David Ortiz go out, but if they do, at least we could say they fought.
Next: Red Sox Hold Team Meeting Ahead Of Elimination Game
So yes Hanley Ramirez we will book a ticket to Game 5, just promise you’ll be there in Game 3 and Game 4.